Most articles on heart disease focus on the dangers of elevated cholesterol levels and the “need” for statins to lower them. I happen to feel this focus is way too narrow and from what I’ve read in research from many different sources, cholesterol levels have less impact on heart disease, and specifically heart attacks than we might think. In fact, a great majority of people who suffer heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels.
This article by Dr. Jonny Bowden shares some information from his book written with Dr. Stephen Sinatra that talks about their belief that chronic vitamin C deficiency is a contributing factor to heart disease.
This caught my attention because I’ve read for quite some time in a newsletter I get from Dr. Bruce West that he has long believed that heart disease is a symptom of “beriberi of the heart”. In case you didn’t know, beriberi is a B-vitamin deficiency that Dr. West believes is still active in a sub-clinical form. He believes it no longer attacks the entire muscle structure of the body but instead only the most vulnerable muscle, the heart. He feels it’s the most common cause of heart failure and a common cause of cardiomyopathy.
So that would mean two very basic, foundational vitamins – the B’s and C – could be critical in the fight against heart disease, a top cause of death in our country. It makes sense to me because both are water soluble vitamins that you do not store and especially in the case of vitamin C, stress depletes it!
Instead of immediately adding a drug with serious potential side effects, that may not even address the root problem, why not look to properly nourishing our bodies to create overall health instead? Sometimes it just could be more basic and simple than we think. That’s my thought –
What do you think?
3-D Vitality 
Ann,
That’s very interesting. I definitely agree with combatting health issues from a nutritional standpoint first. After that I recommend addressing spiritual issues. Man-made drugs often seem to do more damage than good so I use them only as a last resort.
Have a Victorious Day!
Marianne
You know we are on the same page here! Definitely addressing health problems from a nutritional and spiritual perspective.
Ann – this information is very insightful. it all comes down to the basics. It’s important to address those first then move up the scale to do other things as needed.
Thanks Cindy.
Wow! Now that’s an eye opener… Thanks for sharing this Ann.
You bet, Rob.
Sounds like an easy fix by eating whole foods. Will a good multivitamin add some “insurance” here? I know you mention Swanson products in your book – is there a particular brand/mix of vitamins you prefer or does it matter?
I think a good multi is definitely insurance. Swanson has some good ones and for people under 40 there is the JDI multi with stem cell nutrition. I sell these and the reason I say that is that unless you know you are anemic and need iron, it isn’t good to supplement with iron after a certain time because your body stores it and it can cause problems. Women who no longer menstruate should also not supplement with iron unless their doctor tells them. JDI also has a stem cell nutrition supplement alone which is what I use and it is a green food that nourishes your own adult stem cells (it is also in the multi.) You can see those here http://jdimlm.com/am There are good ones on Swanson as well – if you choose one and want to run it by me – feel free.
That would totally rock! I know all vitamins are so important and the foods most people eat are severely deficient because of processing and cooking… so I would definitely believe this.
Thanks Ann, love your posts!
Even though it has taken me a while to comment, I shared this post immediately when I received it with my wife — who happens to be facing a doctor who is trying to lower her cholesterol. While I don’t doubt that lowering cholesterol is good, getting a right mix of vitamins is definitely better.
It’s interesting that you point out that B & C vitamins are water soluble. I knew C was, but thought I heard somewhere that not all ‘B’s were. Either way, water soluble vitamins are great because we really can’t overdose on them (aka we cannot overdo it.) 🙂
Good to learn that my OJ in the morning is helping even more of my body. 🙂
~Cam
Honestly the ratios – HDL and LDL (and there are several different LDL’s) are much more important to overall health than that total cholesterol # doctors are constantly trying to lower. As an example – my total cholesterol is 192 (most doctors would be suggesting statins to me as “preventative”); however my HDL is 102 (extremely high and that’s what you want) and my LDL is 81 which is also desirable. So my doctor had to admit it looked great. It’s good you are both so health conscious and not so easily quick to jump on the drug bandwagon!